Best beaches on the Costa Blanca, Spain

This gorgeous beach near Jávea, on Spain's Costa Blanca coast, is known as La Granadella and its seagrass beds make it perfect for snorkelling. 

Why go?

For its sheer beauty, even though it is shingly rather than sandy. The horseshoe-shaped cove with Blue Flag status has calm, sapphire water and is flanked by a dense forest of emerald Aleppo pine trees. The only problem is that it is so gorgeous it gets very crowded.

Who goes?

Spanish and European families, both tourists and residents. There is a long-standing expat population in this area, from the UK, Germany and other northern European countries.

What is there to do?

Be sure to take a snorkel and mask. The seabed falls away quite steeply from the shore, but if you swim out for 65 feet or so the shingle is replaced by sand with posidonia seagrass beds. You can also walk through the woods behind the beach, breathing in the scent of the pine trees, or up to the castle or lookout point on the cliffs.

Bars and bites

There is a shack on the beach and a few restaurants in the row of buildings behind the bay. Sur (00 34 965 771612) has lots of outdoor tables on its various terraces and serves fabulous paellas.

Getting there

The beach is between Jávea and Moraira. Head towards the Cabo de la Nao headland and take the turning down the gorge through the pine forest to La Granadella. You need to get there pretty early in the morning to get a place in the car park and avoid being stuck in a jam.

Tourist information: 00 34 966 460605, www.xabia.org

                                                                                   Source: telegraph